Method and system for providing a linear signal from a mass airflow and/or liquid flow transducer

Abstract

A method and system for providing a linear signal from a flow transducer. A non-linear raw signal can be obtained from a mass flow transducer. An approximated error comprising a discrete sinusoidal function incremented by a variable and selectable omega value can then be subtracted from the non-linear raw signal, in order to provide a subtracted result and reduce an error range thereof. The linear signal can then be obtained from the subtracted result in order to linearize a raw output from the flow transducer. A user is thus permitted to tune a frequency increment associated with the variable and selectable omega value in order to reduce the error range thereof. Linearized airflow and liquid flow sensor outputs can thus be generated by allowing a user the freedom to tune the frequency increment depending upon the user's flow range for reducing errors.

1. A method for providing a linear signal from a flow transducer, comprising:
 obtaining a non-linear raw signal from a flow transducer; 
 approximating a non-linear error from said non-linear raw signal; 
 subtracting from said non-linear raw signal, an approximated error comprising discrete sine functions incremented by a variable and selectable value, in order to provide a subtracted result and reduce an error range thereof; 
 obtaining a linear signal from said subtracted result in order to linearize a raw output from said flow transducer; and 
 permitting a user to tune a frequency increment associated with said variable and selectable value in order to reduce said error range thereof; 
 associating said mass flow transducer with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), wherein said ASIC comprises:
 an amplifier and a memory for storing a plurality of memory storing coefficients; 
 an approximation mechanism for performing an approximation calculation, wherein said approximation receives said plurality of memory storing coefficients from said memory and an output signal from said amplifier and wherein said approximation mechanism approximates said non-linear error from said non-linear raw signal; 
 a circuit for generating said discrete sine functions, wherein said circuit provides said discrete sine function to said approximation mechanism; and 
 a subtractor that receives an output signal from said amplifier and an output signal from said approximation mechanism, wherein said subtractor subtracts said approximated error from said non-linear signal to produce said subtracted result. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said variable and selectable value comprises an omega variable. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising permitting a user to tune a frequency increment associated with said variable and selectable value in order to reduce said error range thereof. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said flow transducer comprises a mass airflow transducer. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said flow transducer comprises a liquid flow transducer. 
   
   
     6. A method for providing a linear signal from a flow transducer, comprising:
 obtaining a non-linear raw signal from a flow transducer; 
 approximating a non-linear error from said non-linear raw signal; 
 subtracting from said non-linear raw signal, an approximated error comprising a discrete sine functions incremented by a variable and selectable value, in order to provide a subtracted result and reduce an error range thereof, wherein said variable and selectable value comprises an omega variable; 
 obtaining a linear signal from said subtracted result in order to linearize a raw output from said flow transducer; and 
 permitting a user to tune a frequency increment associated with said variable and selectable value in order to reduce said error range thereof; 
 associating said mass flow transducer with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), wherein said ASIC comprises: 
 an amplifier and a memory for storing a plurality of memory storing coefficients; 
 an approximation mechanism for performing an approximation calculation, wherein said approximation receives said plurality of memory storing coefficients from said memory and an output signal from said amplifier and wherein said approximation mechanism approximates said non-linear error from said non-linear raw signal; 
 a circuit for generating said discrete sine function, wherein said circuit provides said discrete sine function to said approximation mechanism; and 
 a subtractor that receives an output signal from said amplifier and an output signal from said approximation mechanism, wherein said subtractor subtracts said approximated error from said non-linear signal to produce said subtracted result. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6  wherein said flow transducer comprises a mass airflow transducer. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 6  wherein said flow transducer comprises a liquid flow transducer. 
   
   
     9. A system for providing a linear signal from a flow transducer, comprising:
 a data-processing apparatus; 
 a module executed by said data-processing apparatus, said module and said data-processing apparatus being operable in combination with one another to:
 obtain a non-linear raw signal from a flow transducer; 
 approximate a non-linear error from said non-linear raw signal; 
 subtract from said non-linear raw signal, an approximated error comprising discrete sine functions incremented by a variable and selectable value, in order to provide a subtracted result and reduce an error range thereof; 
 obtain a linear signal from said subtracted result in order to linearize a raw output from said flow transducer; and 
 permit a user to tune a frequency increment associated with said variable and selectable value in order to reduce said error range thereof, wherein said data-processing apparatus comprises an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that is associated with a flow transducer, said ASIC comprising:
 an amplifier and a memory for storing a plurality of memory storing coefficients; 
 an approximation mechanism for performing an approximation calculation, wherein said approximation receives said plurality of memory storing coefficients from said memory and an output signal from said amplifier and wherein said approximation mechanism approximates said non-linear error from said non-linear raw signal; 
 a circuit for generating said discrete sine function, wherein said circuit provides said discrete sine function to said approximation mechanism; and 
 a subtractor that receives an output signal from said amplifier and an output signal from said approximation mechanism, wherein said subtractor subtracts said approximated error from said non-linear signal to produce said subtracted result. 
 
 
 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 9  wherein said variable and selectable value comprises an omega variable. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 9  wherein said data-processing apparatus and said module are further operable in combination with one another to permit a user to tune a frequency increment associated with said variable and selectable value in order to reduce said error range thereof. 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 9  wherein said flow transducer comprises a mass airflow transducer. 
   
   
     13. The system of  claim 9  wherein said flow transducer comprises a liquid flow transducer.